A Stall in Progress

This happens from time to time. I'll be really productive some months (crazy in others, like nanowrimo) but on the flip side of that, there will be weeks or a month where not much gets done. Everything just stalled for the past week or so. But that's okay.

Actually, part of the reason for my recent stall (no blogging, editing, writing, reading) was due to a cold. For the past week, all I've done is work, sleep, go through kleenex and now cough. That was all kinds of fun, let me tell you. *note: sarcasm*  So, that is my "excuse" for not getting much done lately. I felt up to nothing, not even reading a book. My daily writing went to over a week of 0 words per day. So, May is a slack month in progress wise. But now that I'm on the mend, I hope to make the second half at least somewhat productive.

I will admit, I don't feel that bad about not getting stuff done. Sure, it's a set back from some of my goals, like the editing, but at times things happen. Okay, I did feel a little discouraged seeing all those gray zeroes on my writing worksheet. But then I reminded myself that it's okay. I can still keep going and it's not the end of the world to miss a week of writing.

Sure, if things come up all the time and you don't find a way to work around them to get writing and such done, then it might become an issue. But an occasional set back, don't let it get you down. Things happen that get in the way of progress, projects can stall.

I also bring this up because I help moderate a writing web site and now there is a forum where Monday we post our goals for the week (5 days) and Friday we post the results. It's not many days, and some people get a bit ambitious. Honestly, I wish we did 7 day goals but that's a different story. Back to my point... Some people, when posting their results get very discouraged when they "fail" at what they had wanted to achieve. The post is a "woe is me" and "I'm so awful cause I didn't do what I wanted to do" types that start to get defeatist in tone. But try not to do that. I don't make many goals and some of them, I just don't achieve. Instead of getting discouraged, I just evaluate how things went, then figure out my next set of goals and keep moving forward.

This isn't just for writing either. Health and fitness comes with setbacks. Being sick affected how I ate and such for the whole week. Colds are tricky for weight too, for me. Cause I consumed mostly chicken noodle soup, orange juice and sprite, the scale shows a 2 lb loss. Which would be good but once I got back to eating regular food, I usually just gain in back in a few days. Because I can finally eat something besides soup. And it wasn't a healthy loss to being with because it's from eating only like 1000 calories a day and over half of it being liquid form. Plus, this stalls any exercise due to the fact that I slept when I wasn't at work.

Health, fitness, fiction, it all can stall from time to time. The question is what do you do after the stall to pick yourself up and get back to a level of productiveness.


Have you stalled on a project lately?
What do you do to get back into the swing of things?

Reading Rehash

Yay reading. I mean, hi.

 (image link)

I was quiet here on this blog because I took part in the A to Z blog challenge like last year, except instead of this blog or Dawn Embers blog, I used the book review blog. Which meant I had to read. Yay!  Well, I had some awesome help from three others who did reviews, one of whom did 10 of them for me and is joining the blog as a regular reviewer. So, that blog is doing great but now it's time to get back to having all the blogs getting posts on a regular basis. Like this one.

It was great in that it really helped get me back to reading. Last year I only read 10 books for the whole year. Last month, I read 8 books. Along with a little nonfiction book I finished yesterday, that makes my total so far this year already at 11. My goal was 15, but I'm probably going to try for 25 books this year since I'm already at 73%. I will try to read 2-3 books a month from this point, though if I get more great cause we know during November with NaNoWriMo I probably won't read anything then.

I do like reading though I didn't get much writing done in April. Between work and everything, I got the blog and reading done, but not a lot else. Hoping to get things fixed but I'm happy to be reading again either way. There are so many great books out there. I can't wait.

Books I've read so far this year:

 HIVE (Higher Institute for Villainous Education) by Mark Walden
Ash by Malinda Lo
 If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
Beneath My Mother's Feet by Amjed Qamar
The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Revolt, She Said by Julia Kristeva
March on Earth vol 1 by Mikase Hayashi
Touch of a Thief by Mia Marlowe
The Secret Societies Handbook by Michael Bradley


May Reading Plans:

I plan to finish reading The Floating Islands by Rachel Neumeier. I also have picked a few other books to read and we'll see how it goes from there. If I finish a couple of them early I might find a book from the library too. The ones picked are: First Test by Tamora Pierce, The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau and the book "and Falling, Fly" by Skyler White.  Need to pick next nonfiction book too but I'll do that later. Either way, the plan is to keep reading.


That is what I've been doing. What about you?
What book are you reading?

April and May

Here is to the rain that will bring the flowers. Also known as, goal updates, new goals, talks of April challenges and plans for spring for my life and writing. Fun times indeed.


April is many things. One is the A to Z blogfest challenge. The last two years I took part in the challenge using this blog, with the most recent (2013) being one where I was crazy and used both Fiction and Fitness (It's in the Book was the title then) along with my Dawn Embers blog. This year I went with a different kind of crazy. I am taking part in the challenge. Just not this blog or Dawn Embers. Even though I've been slacking on reading and don't have active co-bloggers at this time, I took the leap and put in Reading at Dawn. I found an awesome reader who is doing a good portion of the reviews, so it's not just me, and my sister has a couple days. It's crazy but I'm hoping it gives the book review blog a boost and I can push it forward from there. Check out the other blogs taking part (over 1700 of them) over at A to Z Challenge. And check out my posts at Reading at Dawn.


February and March were pretty busy. Here are my past goals and how I did on them:

February Goals
Submit 4 stories to publications. - I sent out 3 in February
Write chapter in AF. - Failed. I've still got a couple chapters left to write overall.
Finish reading HIVE - This one I did accomplish and there is a review posted on Reading at Dawn.
Post 5 blog entries overall. Managed but barely, over all the blogs.
Apply to one job a week. Ish. I was doing good in Feburary, since then not so much.
Batch cook on day off from work. Nope. Still working on planning and cooking.

March Goals
Edit TT. - Fail. Didn't edit at all with all the other things I had to do on WDC this month.
Finish reading 1 book. - I finished Ash on the very last day.
Keep submitting items if they get rejections.  Stalled but then I sent out 7 stories on 1 day so I'm doing better again with this one.
Apply to one job a week. Fail. Got distracted.
Eat 3 servings of veggies a day - not quite but I'm slowly adding more veggies though I need to maybe try and eat more than 2 times a day.


Weight loss didn't happen lately but I haven't put much focus on it either. I haven't really gained either though, so that's good despite needing to buy less candy. I'm at 215 so need to make a goal for April and May to try and get down some as I start cooking and using more veggies.


April Goals
Edit 5 or more chapters in TT.
Read books and keep up with A to Z challenge.
Write 250+ words a day.
Submit 2 stories.
Start doing recipe changes by adding more vegetables.
Lose 3 lbs.
Post at least one post in my other blogs.


May Goals
Write 250+ words a day.
Edit chapters in TT. (amount pends how well April goes)
Start rewriting query letter.
Send out 2 stories.
Get activity ready for summer novel writing.
Post at least 4 blog posts overall.


I have been writing every single day. Some days it's only 250 words but other days it's 1000 or 2000. I'm at over 70,000 words written so far this month and even though I've never been the write every day type. I'm actually liking it and the challenge. Rest of my time is taken up by work but I keep going. And I sleep sometimes too.

But I'm ready for April and May. Always more to do.


How are you?
Did February go well?
What are your goals for April or May?

Vegetable Options

See, I promised something not writing and here it is. Vegetables!

Okay, really this is partly cause I had some veggies in freezer, not well kept and didn't notice and got a tad sick from eating it... So, first thing is first. Take care of your vegetables properly. And just because they are frozen doesn't mean they last forever. Especially if bag is opened and not closed well while in the freezer for months.

But on to the rest of the topic. There are three main options when it comes to vegetables: fresh, frozen, canned. All three work in different ways and have different results to varying degrees, pending the vegetable. And my preference varies depending on said vegetable.


Fresh
The big one. Fresh, as you can imagine, is awesome and useable in so many ways. Can be eaten raw, barely cooked, cooked in many different methods, so much possible with this. However, you don't want to overbuy because you might end up wasting cause they don't last forever as shelf life varies. There are also some I just don't like in the uncooked form in general, while a few others I quite like raw or prefer to start off fresh before cooking. Brussel sprouts, while I have frozen bag in freezer, I prefer to start from raw and cook them. Broccolini is great when bought fresh. Also enjoy carrots, spinach, on rare occasion lettuce, and many other veggies when purchased fresh. And of course squash, mmmm squash. However, I am not the best at cooking right away nor do I grocery shop often in part to having very little money for food. So, I really like buying fresh but it doesn't always work out well at this time.

Frozen
This can be a good and often times affordable option. There are some small bags of frozen veggies available for under 1$ where I shop. They can be added to soups, casseroles and many other dishes too and last much longer than most fresh veggies will. If spending a bit more, like a few dollars, there are ones with sauces or recipe inspired available nowadays in many stores. Some taste better than others. I haven't had the best luck with frozen spinach. However, frozen broccoli, corn and such have been easy additions to use. Frozen green beans are okay but I prefer canned or fresh. Carrots are okay frozen, for stew and such but eh, I'm not big on reheat and eat from frozen but they are okay. But frozen is a great option minus my small amount of freezer space and keeps for longer, which is good. Next need to find other uses for them, sneak veggies in anything I can so I eat more.

Canned
Canned is another often affordable option. These can also be found in some places and sizes under 1 dollar and they have a rather long shelf life. They add well to soups and casseroles but can also be heated up and consumed on their own. Some work out better than others. I'm more of a fan of canned green beans (french style cut in particular) than say eating a can of peas, but they are okay. I haven't tried all the canned ones. I see asparagus but it's usually more than the other veggies and I like fresh more anyways. Canned corn is okay but I'm not big on creamed corn. Carrots are okay but almost too soft yet I like starting fresh and getting them soft... I dunno. I have canned baby carrots, instead of slices. That will be interesting. So, in general I do kind like canned or jarred (don't see much jarring but if I had pickle stuff I'd try to make it like my great grandma's.


So there are a few options in the way of vegetation.

Do you have a preference?

Random Writings

Lately I've had a couple random bits of writing occur and figured it would make for an interesting blog post. I will do a fitness/health post in the near future though, so look forward to a green bean recipe or two. ;-)


But first, random writings!

What do I mean? Well, most of the time, even though I'm not an outliner, when I have a story idea I've thought it through. I watch the story and get to know the character in my head before I do much writing at all. This goes for both short stories and novels. Also is why I don't quite consider myself a true "pantser" because I don't quite discover the story as it goes along on the page most of the time.

And I guess that is what this is really about, attempting to discovery write.

With one story that I have finished in the last month, it all started with a title. I came up with a title that included Fire. From there I wrote a couple paragraphs, then the final sentence, added space between the start and finish, then went from there. Each day that I added bits, for a good portion of the writing, I didn't know where I was going even though I knew the last line.

Another story that got sent out this week has a similar conception. The story started with a prompt about "Mercury" as a name. I wasn't sure what to do at first so this time I started with the first line of the story, about the character being called Mercury. Each time I added a little more to the story (it took a couple weeks at least), I didn't know where I was headed, but now I have the story done and though it's odd, I kinda like it. I've sent it out already. Got an awesomely quick rejection from one place and that made me send it to another place. I'm all about keep trying and submitting and smiling at rejections (yay!). Oh, also since I had one vote on my "rejections" poll and a few people on facebook like my comment (mostly writers, not just family, lol), I am going to have a little place off to the right that shows the number of items I have out and the number of rejections I've received. And back to the story writing topic...

In some ways it's kind of fun to sit down each day with a goal of adding words to a story but not knowing where that will take things. Not having it planned out. Granted by the end, before I get there, I have something in my head, but it's still fun to discover so much along the way.

And in line with the random write, in a group on Sparkpeople.com we have someone who posts prompts and others will write little snippets based on the prompt in the forum. Since it's forum then it has to be short, more micro fiction style. I don't often post on those cause getting novelist to write short story is hard enough, getting me to write micro fiction is even worse (I try though). Well, today is a different story. I wrote an unplanned snippet from the prompt "In the distance..." And since it's posted on the forum there and thus "published" I figured why not share it here as well.

Untitled story by Me

In the distance existed hope.

Beyond the fence of trees, the forest overgrowth that stretched for unknown miles, lay endless possibilities. A real chance to start anew. No history dragging down in the depths of emotional seas. No pain, rejection or loss of concepts once held close to heart. Only the endless possibilities with the potential for a brighter future displayed out beyond the choking vines of the city.
Behind remained regret.

Mistakes made and promises shattered on the cold concrete simmered in the background along with broken memories of a distant childhood. Heart wrenched, shredded in cold indifference held no strength to stay in the cold place once called home. Crushed dreams and empty bedroom provided little reason to stay.

In the distance lay fear.

The unknown truth remained with no guarantee of brighter shores or better times. Hidden behind the serene tree-line existed a world unexplored with potential for both excitement and disaster. Surviving thus far didn't guarantee a future. Leaving held no promise of safety, kinship or comfort.
Behind existed a known trouble.

Comfort came in knowing despite all odds, survival continued in the cold alleys of the city. Having a past indicated ways to continue to a future, more possibilities with the risks already known. Even the empty arms of the friends that remained there had some warmth.

Standing on the brink of change, the past a beckoning hum of pain and regret at his back while the haunting danger of beautiful unknown lay ahead, he took a step forward.

Goals and updates

I think I'm going to change to posting my monthly goals three months at a time on here because that way I don't have a goal post every single month because then it feels half my content gets focused on either what goal am I attempting or did I make any progress. Both good things but you all deserve more.

But for now, I did January goals so need to give you that update. Then I'll do February and March and we'll go from there.

January Goals
Write 4 short stories
Submit 5 items to publications.
Finish writing AF
Work on TT Edit
Start Vegetable focus using canned, frozen and fresh veggies.

1. Not quite. I started at least 4 stories during the month but I didn't finish them all. In fact, I only actually finished 1, which is already submitted, but I worked on 3 others I'd written in the past and sent those out.
2. Close. I submitted 4 different stories in January. 1 received 2 rejections and is awaiting response at the 3rd place. Good progress still since last I'd submitted was 1 story 4 times in 2009.
3. Nope. But I thought of a better ending. yay!
4. ish, not really.
5. I did post a thing, we are looking at green beans.

Also, current weight = 214. Down from 217 I believe so it's a start.

 Veggie Feature: Green Beans

February Goals
Submit 4 stories to publications.
Write chapter in AF.
Finish reading HIVE
Post 5 blog entries overall.
Apply to one job a week.
Batch cook on day off from work.


March Goals
Edit TT.
Finish reading 1 book.
Keep submitting items if they get rejections.
Apply to one job a week.
Eat 3 servings of veggies a day




How is your year going?
What are your goals for February and/or March?

Rejection Consideration

As it comes in hand with getting into that submission process, rejection is an important topic to consider. Rejection is part of life, but in particular it's a big part of the writer's life. Any time you put something out there, chance exists someone will reject it; but that's okay.

I have been on both sides. Having worked as an intern with a small publisher, I had to do the slush pile reading and thus decided which stories we took for consideration and which ones received rejection. It was a strange situation to be in at the time because I'd not sent much out over the years leading up to taking on this role.  There isn't joy for many of us in sending a "this isn't for us" response but not everything can be accepted. Now I'm back on the other side and awaiting for the email rejections from items I have submitted.

Until this year, the only time I had submitted fiction wise was back in 2009, which was a 500 word alien thing that isn't quite a finished story... Yeah, reading it now I wonder why I sent it but that's okay, I thank the kind slush readers that skimmed the short short item. I sent it to 4 places and got 4 rejections before getting distracted by other things. (Yes, I'm an "oh shiny" type, so no adding glitter to comments please as they distract me.) Now that I'm submitting again, 4 submissions so far this year on 2 stories, it's time to look at rejections.

Note: I have a poll on the side over by the about me section that is going until the end of January, 2014. I am curious if keeping a tally of my rejections, submitting and acceptances would be helpful. I'm not going to post much about them at all and never going to list where I have sent. But I want to know if maybe having a counter type spot that shows how many times I've submitted fiction and queries would be interesting for a reader. Any votes are appreciated.

Types of Rejections (in my mind)

Form - This is standard. It's the often short, this is not for us, that is usually premade and just gets the story added in so that the author knows which is getting the rejection. Due to the nature of the business and the number of entries magazines, agents, publishers get, while this isn't the most helpful of rejections, it is common and necessary. The form isn't meant to say the writing is horrible or anything, but a quick way to get the message back to you that they aren't going to publish the item submitted. Simple as that. I've received a few of these, back in 2009 and so far this year too.

Nice Form - This might be a half made up by me thing because it's basically a form rejection though some might start getting into the short but personal realm. In essence, this has a little more than the "we have read (insert story here) but it doesn't meet our needs at this time, the end" type but not a lot added beyond it. To me, the nice form is the one who has the part with the insert story here but also wishes good luck in placing it elsewhere and/or asks you submit other work to them in the future. It's nice because it has that tone, that hey keep going type which sounds more than just "hey, read it but no". I did receive one of these nice ones in 2009 that looked quite formulaic but had send other sci-fi in the future (despite my not having any other sci-fi.... yeah, umm it was nice though).

Personal - This varies a bit but the general standard a friend recommended is if they mention anything about the story beyond the title, it counts as personal. Which means it can be very short, much like a form letter or it can be a full, no but there is why. A few places try to give a comment or two to every submission but those are rare because it takes so much time and effort pending the amount entries sent. One I sent to in 2009 gave feedback to every submission (they are no longer open) and the one I got basically said "make it longer". They recommended novelette length, which is a bit of a jump from 500 words but I totally see why it was suggested and appreciated the comments given. Don't let any reason pull you down if there is much to work on or a hard negative formatting. Like any, take time away and don't backlash but also consider it a success. A personal rejection is something to note, give yourself a tiny candy (or a non-food treat) or something to celebrate cause that marks reaching a point, especially for those that don't give personal to everyone. Then keep submitting (or take break and work on something else).


I could talk more on rejections but that's territory for my other blog (adds note to do a blog post on rejection there next month). Since this blog is focused on my path, let's just leave this here. I am submitting more. I have 2 stories sent out so  far, one that I will be sending I hope next week and 4 more that I would like sent by February 14th due to a challenge I'm in. I'm taking the steps and that's what is great and why I like the rejections. They show me I'm on this part of the journey and not just stuck in the cycle of first drafting. Yay!


What are your thoughts on rejection?
Did you vote on the poll?